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"Mr Renault?" he asked, raising his voice and eyebrows a trifle; and I think I never saw such a careless, laughing, well-bred countenance in which were set two eyes as shreise as the eyes of this youngat the led to assume

"Colonel Haant a bow as I ever had the honor to atte repeatedly as we seated ourselves, he lifting his sword and laying it across his knees And I admired his hat, which was new and smartly laced, and cocked in the ht withmen whose dress is slovenly from indifference and not from penury His Excellency was ever faultless in attire; and I reeneral orders on New Year's day in '76: "If a soldier can not be induced to take pride in his person, he will soon beco"

"Mr Renault," began Colonel Harets that a certain sphere of usefulness is now closed to you through your own rashness"

I reddened, bowing

"It appears, however," continued Colonel Hamilton placidly, "that your estimate of yourself is too humble His Excellency thanks you, applauds your entleman can render to his country, and desires me to express the same----"

He rose and bowed I was onwith pleasure

"His Excellency said--that!" I repeated incredulously

"Indeed he did, Mr Renault, and he regrets that--ahem--under the circue your four years' service--not even privately, Mr Renault--you understand that such services as yours reat measure, their oard Yet I know that his Excellency hesitated a long while to send e, so keenly did he desire to receive you, so grateful is he for the service rendered"

I was quite giddy with delight now Never, never had I ile enerous praise--me, a man who had lent himself to a work abhorrent--a work taken up only because there was none better fitted to acco that all shrank froarding me with decorous amusement

"It ents reported to Sir Henry Clinton concerning you"

"What did they say?" I asked curiously